ARMY TM 9-1010-221-10

AIR FORCE TO 11W3-9-4-1

MARINE CORPS TM 07700B-10
NAVY SW370-AE-OPI-010
TECHNICAL MANUAL

OPERATOR'S MANUAL
GRENADE LAUNCHER, 40-MM: M203
(1010-00-179-6447)
GRENADE LAUNCHER, 40-MM: M203A1
(1010-01-434-9028)
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENTS OF THE ARMY, AIR FORCE,
MARINE CORPS, AND NAVY
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution is
unlimited.
1 AUGUST 2001
This manual superseded TM 9-1010-221-10, dated 17 December 1984,
Including all changes.
 TM 9-1010-221-10

HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENTS OF THE ARMY,

AIR FORCE, MARINE CORPS, AND NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C., 1 August 2001

TECHNICAL MANUAL

OPERATOR'S MANUAL
GRENADE LAUNCHER, 40-MM: M203
(1010-00-179-6447)
GRENADE LAUNCHER, 40-MM: M203A1
(1010-01-434-9028)

This manual supersedes TM 9-1010-221-10, dated 17 December 1984,

including all changes.

i
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

WP Sequence No.

WARNING SUMMARY
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
GENERAL INFORMATION........................................................... 0001 00

CHAPTER 1 - DESCRIPTION AND THEORY OF OPERATION

Equipment Description and Data .............................................. 0002 00
Theory of Operation.................................................................... 0003 00

CHAPTER 2 — OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS

Description and Use of Operator Controls and Indicators:
Leaf Sight ................................................................................... 0004 00
Quadrant Sight ........................................................................... 0005 00
Barrel Latch................................................................................ 0006 00
Trigger and Safety ...................................................................... 0007 00

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 WP Sequence No.

CHAPTER 2 — OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS (Cont)

Operation Under Usual Conditions:
Preparation for Firing ................................................................ 0008 00
Firing Techniques....................................................................... 0009 00
Range Estimating ....................................................................... 0010 00
Loading and Firing ..................................................................... 0011 00
Clearing....................................................................................... 0012 00
Hangfire ...................................................................................... 0013 00
Misfire ......................................................................................... 0014 00
Unloading.................................................................................... 0015 00
Operation Under Unusual Conditions:
Unusual Environment/Weather................................................. 0016 00
Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Decontamination
Procedures.............................................................................. 0017 00

iv
 WP Sequence No.

CHAPTER 3 — TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES

Troubleshooting Index ............................................................... 0018 00
Operational Checkout and Troubleshooting Procedures ......... 0019 00

CHAPTER 4 — MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS)
Introduction............................................................................ 0020 00
PMCS Procedures ....................................................................... 0021 00
Lubrication Instructions............................................................. 0022 00
Inspection of Installed Items...................................................... 0023 00
Disassembly ................................................................................ 0024 00
Cleaning ...................................................................................... 0025 00
Assembly ..................................................................................... 0026 00
Lubrication.................................................................................. 0027 00
Test and Inspection .................................................................... 0028 00

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 WP Sequence No.

CHAPTER 4 — MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS (Cont)

Use of Quick Release Bracket:
Cleaning/Lubrication ................................................................. 0029 00
Dismounting from M16A4 Rifle or M4/M4A1 Carbine............. 0030 00
Mounting to M4 Carbine............................................................ 0031 00
Mounting to M16A4 Rifle .......................................................... 0032 00

Mounting Leaf Sight and Rail Grabber Assembly ................... 0033 00

Ammunition Marking Information ........................................... 0034 00

vi
 WP Sequence No.

CHAPTER 5 — SUPPORTING INFORMATION

References .................................................................................. 0035 00
Components of End Item (COEI) and Basic Issue
Items (BII) Lists ..................................................................... 0036 00
Additional Authorization List (AAL)......................................... 0037 00
Expendable and Durable Items List ......................................... 0038 00

ALPHABETICAL INDEX

vii
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL

The safest, easiest, and best way to operate the M203 40-mm Grenade
Launcher is to use this manual. Learning to use this TM is as easy as
reading through this section. Knowing what is in this manual and how to use
it will save you time and work and will help you to avoid exposing yourself to
unnecessary hazards while performing your job.

So where do you start?

Right here, if this is the first time you are using this TM. Be sure to
completely read this section on how to use this manual first. There's a lot of
information here that you need to know.

viii
Organization

This manual covers the operation of the M203 and M203A1 40-mm Grenade
Launchers. The manual itself is divided into five chapters. Chapters are
divided into Work Packages. The five chapters, and what they contain, are
found in the Table of Contents in the front of this manual. For example, to
learn about operating the grenade launcher, you would look in the table of
contents and discover that Chapter 2 provides all pertinent information
about the operation of the grenade launcher. Since Chapter 2 covers a great
deal of information, you will have to scan the chapter to find the specific
information you will need.

ix
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL (Cont)

Organization (Cont)

In the final chapter of this manual, you will find supporting information.
Each work package provides specific information that will assist you in
performing the various operational tasks. The work packages provide such
information as additional references (i.e., other TMs or FMs), as in
WP 0035 00, and Basic Issue Items (BII), as in WP 0036 00. Others provide
information unique to the needs of the grenade launcher. Become familiar
with all supporting information before beginning any operational or
maintenance task.

Am I ready to use this TM?

x
If you’ve taken the time necessary to read this section, and are sure of the
location and arrangement of the different sections of this TM, you are ready
to begin. Remember, this TM has been arranged with you, the user, in mind.
Your safety and ability to perform the operational and maintenance tasks in
the most efficient manner hinge on your ability to perform and understand
the information contained in this manual. If you fully understand the
arrangement and purpose of this TM, and have taken the time to read
through this section, you will have no trouble operating and maintaining the
grenade launcher in the manner for which it was designed.

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GENERAL INFORMATION 0001 00

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GENERAL INFORMATION (Cont) 0001 00

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4 0 -M M G R E N A D E L A U N C H E R , M 2 0 3 A 1

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B R A C K E T
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R A IL A N D Q U IC K R E L E A S E B R A C K E T

0001 00-3
GENERAL INFORMATION (Cont) 0001 00

SCOPE

Type of Manual. Operator's manual, including operator maintenance.

Model Number and Equipment Name. M203 and M203A1 Grenade

Launchers.

Purpose of Equipment. The grenade launcher M203 was designed to be

used with the M16 series rifles, can be field-stripped in a hurry without
special tools, and fires a 40-mm grenade.

The grenade launcher M203A1 was designed to be used with the M4 series
carbines. It is functionally identical to the M203.

0001 00-4